*Header by guruguruhyena, 2025.
New creative social medias are making moves to lower the barriers to collecting digital art. They’re testing ways to make participation more accessible and attractive, which is super positive. But I do think they’re missing a key point: the real barrier is definitely not the price but it’s perceived value.
For normies, owning an intangible asset—a JPEG, GIF, or video—still feels abstract, unnecessary, or even scammy. The issue is not necessary affordability but understanding. Many don’t see why a digital file, no matter how dope, should carry the same cultural or emotional weight as a painting, sculpture, analog photography, or physical object.
This disconnect highlights the cultural shift we’ve been waiting for. As curators, artists, and advocates, our duty is not to make art low-cost but rather, to make its value undeniable. Digital art is a medium for storytelling, critique, political statements, and cultural preservation. It captures the spirit of the now in ways traditional forms cannot, reflecting the tech, social, and aesthetic currents of our era. It has a price like any art.
And the rise of ‘penny art platforms’—where artworks are priced to the point of disposability—only makes this worse in my opinion. At least it's superconfusing. Treating art as cheap and fleeting risks undoing years of progress and reinforcing outdated stereotypes. Instead, we should champion initiatives that highlight its depth and significance.
Digital art, especially in the context of Web3, isn’t defined by accessibility or minute-creation. It emphasizes the value of the medium itself. Until the broader public grasps this, the space will struggle to gain widespread recognition. This is a long-term effort, but one worth committing to.
Licensing: A Step Back for Artist Rights
While efforts to enhance the collector experience are commendable, the licensing terms on many onchain socials are a step backward. Minting a work often means granting the platform a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide license to use, reproduce, distribute, and monetize it—without further involvement or compensation for the artist.
This isn’t just problematic; it’s Web2 all over again. Instead of empowering creators, these terms centralize power, locking content into proprietary databases and creating closed ecosystems. This is opposite to the core principles of decentralization and artist sovereignty that Web3 promised.
Even worse, some platforms reserve the right to mint NFTs or create derivative works without consulting the original artist. This strips creators of agency and enables unchecked commercialization. It’s the opposite of the open, fair system we’re supposed to be building.
By adopting these terms, platforms risk alienating the very artists who make them valuable. Art is supposed to work on trust, transparency, and fairness, but when profit come first, they undermine that foundation. This is a concern for artists and it impacts the entire space. Voices like Amadon have already spoken out, and more will likely follow.
The Question of Value
So what are platforms actually offering to the community? Collecting web-based art/content is exciting—I personally do it every day—but many, even if they try their best, are falling short.
Stevie P put it bluntly when critiquing a leading player: “@*#&! is for posting pictures of garbage you find on the street. I don't understand all the hate, enthusiasm, and confusion. It's really quite simple.” This might seem like a throwaway remark, but it speaks to a deeper skepticism about the value being built.
Of course, his point isn’t to dismiss digital art but to question how platforms treat it. Prioritizing accessibility is great, but leaning into a fast, disposable, low-barrier model risks repeating the same mistakes of Web2. When the focus changes to volume over quality, art becomes just another product to be consumed and discarded.
If this feels familiar, it’s because it is. The question we should be asking is: how do we build something new? Something that values art for what it is, not just as another monetized content stream. This is the real work ahead of us.
Building a Positive Future for Digital Art
The challenges are something real, but they don’t define the future. We're not at a crossroads but rather at an inflection point. Platforms can either reinforce outdated models or step up and lead with a vision that puts artists at the core. The choice matters because protecting creator rights is an ethical stance and the foundation of a healthy ecosystem. Without artists, there is no platform. Without trust, there is no community.
A system built for longevity ensures that artists aren’t just contributors but stakeholders. When creators have control over their work, fair revenue-sharing models, and transparent licensing, platforms survive and evolve. We don't want temporary fixes or PR-friendly promises. We need structural change. The one that recognize this will stand apart, proving that supporting artists is a good practice and a competitive advantage.
This transformation won’t happen overnight, and the hurdles ahead are significant. But progress has always come from those willing to rethink the status quo. Web3 offers the tools to make transparency, fairness, and empowerment more than just ideals—they can be embedded directly into the artworks. By pushing artist-first policies and creating a culture of education and appreciation, we can all ensure that digital art is taken seriously—not as something ephemeral, but as a (b)lasting force in culture.
xo-b
